PeopleFirst Director

PeopleFirst Pilot Director

Ascentria Care Alliance is seeking a strategic, impact-driven leader to launch and shape PeopleFirst Pathwaysour flagship innovation initiative focused on creating and delivering workforce solutions through human-centered design. PeopleFirst Pathways addresses the social determinants of health (SDOH) affecting the healthcare and community services workforce. We help employees access both existing and pilot solutions across the social determinants including transportation, legal and immigration support, childcare, emergency housing, etc. that best meet their needs. By working directly with frontline providers and employees, we co-design, prototype, fund, and scale innovative solutions that not only improve well-being, increase earning potential, support career growth, and simultaneously help employers recruit, develop, and retain a diverse, committed workforce. Reporting to the Chief Social Innovation Officer, the PeopleFirst Pilot Director will play a key role in building and shaping the PeopleFirst pilot from the ground up. This includes leading the planning, execution, and evaluation of the PeopleFirst Pathways pilot and helping to design a human-centered approach to developing scalable, workforce-centered solutions. The ideal candidate brings a blend of frontline experience in healthcare or community services and expertise in innovation, design, and technology. You understand the challenges facing direct care workers and are driven to co-create solutions that build a more stable and supported workforce. You are a strategic thinker and hands-on builder, comfortable navigating ambiguity and advancing early-stage ideas into practical solutions. Your background may include experience in healthcare, public health, health administration, or community services, alongside time in innovation labs, startups, or cross-sector initiatives. You bring a working knowledge of human-centered design, data infrastructure, and emerging technologiesincluding AIwith the ability to apply these tools in service of social impact and systems-level change. Empathy and collaboration are central to how you lead and work.

Essential Responsibilities :

1. Program Design & Oversight Lead and refine the internal PeopleFirst Pathways pilot, including planning, implementation, and evaluation; prepare for external pilots. Develop and deliver a scalable, fundable program model and supporting methodology. Supervise the PeopleFirst Pathfinder (direct service role), ensuring alignment with overall goals. Manage daily operations including staffing, logistics, training, technology, and program budget. Prepare and manage budgets, track expenses, and support financial reporting and planning.

2. Solution Design & Innovation Work with frontline employees, managers, and advisory groups to understand challenges, co-create solutions using human-centered design methods and test them for impact and potential for scale. Facilitate research, interviews, and co-design sessions to inform solution development. Prototype, test, and refine ideas based on real-time feedback. Plan for how promising solutions can be scaled

3. Communication & Stakeholder Engagement Serve as the main point of contact for pilot communications, updates, and learning reports. Convene and engage advisory councils and community partners to help shape program direction. Share insights, outcomes, and recommendations clearly with internal teams and external partners. Maintain regular feedback loops with participants and stakeholders to stay aligned and responsive.

4. Monitoring, Learning & Evaluation Set clear goals and success metrics for the pilot and the solutions it generates. Create simple, effective systems for collecting and analyzing data to measure the progress and impact of both the pilot and the solutions developed. Collect and manage data to assess the impact Use findings to adapt the program in real time and contribute to organizational learning.

5. Business Development & Growth Partner with the Chief Social Innovation Officer to identify and engage potential funders. Contribute to funding proposals, presentations, and storytelling efforts to sustain and grow the program.

Qualifications :

7+ years leading programs, pilots, or service initiatives in healthcare, community health, or related fields. BA or BS in public health, population health, healthcare administration, nonprofit management, or a related field of study. Advanced degree is preferred (e.g., MPH, MPA, MBA).

ExperienceDemonstrated success managing day-to-day program operations (budgeting, planning, staffing, reporting). Proven ability to manage multiple projects and timelines in a fast-paced environment. Skilled in gathering and using both quantitative and qualitative data to inform decisions and measure impact. Background in startup environments, innovation labs, or early-stage programs.

Has demonstrated the application of human centered design, design thinking, co-design, lean startup, and / or community led approaches to solutions building. Technologically fluent; able to assess, implement, and optimize tools such as case management systems, workflow platforms, and data dashboards in collaboration with IT. Strong communication and relationship-building skills across diverse stakeholders, including frontline workers, leadership, and external partners.

Leadership and Supervisory skills and qualities : (generally required for management positions) varies depending upon the management level of the position. Experience supervising or supporting a small team, including coaching and accountability.

Additional Information :

SCHEDULE Hybrid on-site 3 days per week

TRAVEL REQUIRED : travel 20%

VEHICLE / LICENSE / ABILITY TO TRANSPORT : Must have valid license and vehicle

LANGUAGE SKILLS : English. Multilingual Preferred- Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Creole

Trainings Required :

Physical / Mental Demands : Reasonable accommodations may be provided to support individuals with disabilities in performing the essential duties of the position, as long as such accommodations do not impose an undue hardship on the organization. The physical requirements for this role are necessary to perform its essential functions and are in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Physical Demands are generally : Ability to occasionally lift or move items up to 25 pounds (e.g., supplies, materials for site visits or presentations). Ability to travel to partner sites, community locations, and team meetings across the region as needed. Occasional walking and standing during site visits or community events. Ability to communicate effectively in person, over video calls, by phone, and via written correspondence.

Sedentary - While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit and talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and / or move up to 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include Close vision, Distance vision, Peripheral vision, Depth perception and Ability to adjust focus. The employee is frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. Required to sit for long periods of time. Infrequent light physical effort required Requires driving own vehicle to various sites.

Thinking & Problem Solving Requirements : (Optional) Click or tap here to enter text.